New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-15
BJSN1RCE1.S NEW APPEAL.

1rlnCc DlSnlalCk repeats INC tdCttS NHICh
he has frequently employed The Reichs'ag
has dofied him. and he has Immediately ordered
its dissolution. The general elections will
present n simple issue TO the constituencies.
and the chances arc largely in favor of an in
creased Conservative and National Liberal vote.
These two parties have voted for the seven
years provision Of the Army bill. The Centre
and the ProgeSslsts have oppo cd this feature
of the measure prctcIIing to limit It's scope
TO three years. The Chancellor appeals 20
the patriotism Of the country on Echalf of a
military measure which General Won Moltkc
declares to be absolutely necessary. This is
the most promising issue on the strength of
which he has asked for popular support since
the refusal of the Reichstag to legisIate against
assassins In these circumstances a Govern
ment defeat will seem to imply lack of pat
riotism. The constituencies will naturally re-
sent this imputation.
The dissolution of the Reichstag is not to
be hastily condemned as hiGh-handed and
arbitrary act Mr.. Gladstone. when he dissolved
Parliament after the defeat of the Home Rule
bill, awaited himself of Constitutional right.
In like manner the German Chancellor is act
ing strictly within his Constitutional prerog-
atives The Empire is union of federated
mOnarchics with a central executive having
absolute authority In war and diplomacy. and
with central legislative vested with many
quasi privileges and the single substantial
power of voting supplies. his power is now
used by the Opposition groups with the prac-
teal result Of vc,oing 4 military measure which
the Government considers that it has the cX-
elusive right of formulating. Not only is the
dissolution a privilege guaranteed by the funda-
mental law and frequently exercised. but Prince
Bismarck has given strong Constitutional rea-
sons for reeenting legislative interference with
Government schemes Of military organization
In his recent speeches he has shown character
istic contempt for parliamentary institutions;
he has repIoached the deputies with their i'm
bccility and poweressncss and by attempting
10 brOwteat and bully them. he has inspired
them with the determination of defeating the
Army bill and asserting their independence.
But while his manner has been oflcn>iyc as
il usualyis in his dealings with the Rclchstag.
here has been no cncIoachmcnt upon PAIL
menta,y rights
Prince Bismarck, it must not be forgotten,
is not a responsible agent OF Parliament. like
an English, French or Italian Prime Minister.
lie does no. serve the Rcichstag. but the King.
Even if the Constitution did not protect him
against the operation Of the ordinary prn-
ciplcs OF Parliamentary or Cabinet govel n
mcnt. he would find il impossible TO govern
Germany as European Prime Ministries govern
their countries with the aid of a single polit-
ical party. Tho Centre. which has been tie
strongest party for a decade. does not COM
prise more than third of the Deputies. The
remaining two-thirds are divided into dozen
groups. Government 10y a party or a coalition
of parties is imposih in the Rcich>tae. The
Chancellor is forced TO make ono combination
after another, and TO obtain financial supplies
as best he can. What he expects to do now
is to reduce the strength Of the Centre and
to recruit the Conservatives and National Lib
erals at the expense Of the 'pinch-boot party" "
as he has loosely termed the PlogrcsSists.
If he bc defeated. it VIII be through superior
organization and popular dislike for military
service. Such defeat will DO the first sign
of popular reaction against the burdens Of thc
European system of ornaments.